Gateway Server

A gateway server is an auxiliary backup infrastructure component that “bridges” the backup server and backup repository. The gateway server is required if you deploy the following types of backup repositories in the backup infrastructure:

The role of a gateway server can be assigned to a Microsoft Windows machine added to the backup infrastructure. To configure a gateway server, you must first add a machine that you plan to use as a gateway server to the backup infrastructure using the New Windows Server wizard. After that, you must go through the Add New Backup Repository wizard and define gateway server settings. You can select a gateway server explicitly or instruct Veeam Backup & Replication to select it automatically.

If you select a gateway server explicitly, Veeam Backup & Replication uses the selected machine as a gateway server. Synthetic operations are also performed on this gateway server.

Synthetic operations are performed on the mount server associated with the backup repository. If the mount server is not accessible, Veeam Backup & Replication fails over to the backup server.

These rules are applied to the direct data path and processing over WAN accelerators.

Tape job

If there is a direct connection between a backup repository and tape device, the role of a gateway server is assigned to the tape server.

Otherwise the role of a gateway server is assigned to the backup server.

Synthetic operations are performed on the mount server associated with the backup repository. If the mount server is not accessible, Veeam Backup & Replication fails over to the backup server.

Restore operations

Backup proxy used for a restore operation

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Replication from backup

Target backup proxy assigned for a replication operation

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In the common case, a machine to which you assign the role of a gateway server must be located as close to the backup repository as possible. However, if you use a deduplicating storage appliance with source-side data deduplication, it is reasonable to assign the role of a gateway server to a machine that is located closer to the backup proxy. This will help you reduce the amount of traffic travelling over the network. For more information, see EMC Data Domain and HPE StoreOnce.

Veeam Backup & Replication may use one or several gateway servers to process VMs in the job. The number of gateway servers depends on backup repository settings. If the Use per-VM backup files option is disabled, Veeam Backup & Replication selects one gateway server for the whole backup repository. If the Use per-VM backup files option is enabled, Veeam Backup & Replication selects a gateway server per every VM in the job. The rules of gateway server selection are described above.

For example, a backup job processes 2 VMs. The job is targeted at a backup repository for which the Use per-VM backup files option is enabled. In this case, Veeam Backup & Replication will detect which backup proxies were used to process VMs in the job. If VMs were processed with 2 different backup proxies, Veeam Backup & Replication will assign the role of gateway servers to these backup proxies. If VMs were processed with the same backup proxy, Veeam Backup & Replication will assign the role of a gateway server to this backup proxy, and will use it for both VMs in the job.

For scale-out backup repositories, Veeam Backup & Replication uses one gateway server per every extent. The rules of gateway server selection are described above.

Requirements for Gateway Servers

A machine performing the role of a gateway server must meet the following requirements:

The gateway server can run on a Microsoft Windows machine or Microsoft Hyper-V host.

You must add the machine to the Veeam Backup & Replication console as a managed server.

The machine must have access to the backup repository — shared folder, EMC Data Domain or HPE StoreOnce.

Limitations for Gateway Servers

For deduplicating storage appliances working over Fibre Channel, you must explicitly select a gateway server that will communicate with the appliance. As a gateway server, you must use a Microsoft Windows server that is added to the backup infrastructure and has access to the appliance over Fibre Channel.